Loader crane for gooseneck trailer

ABSTRACT

The present invention incorporates a loader crane with a gooseneck type trailer. The trailer is modified by adding a deck upon the gooseneck structure. The loader frame is mounted upon this deck to permit the boom and arm thereof to extend and swing over the bed of the trailer. The crane is hydraulically operated. Hydraulic controls for its operation are mounted upon the deck; an operator&#39;&#39;s chair is also mounted upon the deck.

United States Patent 1191' Newton [451 Apr. 2, 1974 1 1 LOADER CRANE FORGOOSENECK TRAILER [76] Inventor: Gary Newton, General Delivery,

[52] US. Cl 214/77 R, 214/505, 214/508, 280/423 R [51] Int. Cl B65g 1/48[58] Field of Search 214/77 R, 78, 80, 130 R, 214/130 A, 75 R, 766;280/423 A, 423 R, 425 R, 425 B [56] References Cited UNITED STATESPATENTS 3,080,988 3/1963 Redman 214/78 3,484,003 12/1969 Strandberg etal.. 3,404,792 10/1968 Frieberg 214/80 3,174,630 3/1965 Tantlinger et a1214/77 R 3,602,375 8/1971 Martinson 214/77 R 3,406,852 10/1968 Winckler280/423 R X 3,433,503 3/1969 Davis 280/423 R X 3,102,562 9/1963Horncastlc 214/77 R UX 3,253,716 5/1966 Stratton 214/77 R X 3,288,31511/1966 Bigdcn 214/506 3,421,791 1/1969 Lindquist 214/77 R FOREIGNPATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,037,490 7/1966 Great Britain 214/130 R1,318,514 1/1963 France 214/80 245,123 6/1960 Australia 214/77 R PrimaryExaminer-Robert J. Spar Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Van Valkenburgh, Lowe &Law

[57] ABSTRACT The present invention incorporates a loader crane with agoosenecktype trailer. The trailer is modified by adding a deck upon thegooseneck structure. The loader frame is mounted upon this deck topermit the boom and arm thereof to extend and swing over the bed of thetrailer. The crane is hydraulically operated. Hydraulic controls for itsoperation are mounted upon the deck; an operators chair is also mountedupon the deck.

3 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures PMENTEU APR 2 I97 Mill-0Y2 BY NewtofiATTORNEYS PAIENTEUAPR 21m 11800566 INVENTOR.

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LOADER CRANE FOR GOOSENECK TRAILER This invention relates to apparatusfor loading and unloading trailers, and more particularly to= a loadercrane which is carried upon a trailer. 7

A primary object of the invention is to provide a novel and improvedarrangement of a loader crane for a trailer having a so-called gooseneckhitch; Trailers having such a hitch are commonly called goosenecktrailers and thus the invention will be herein called a loader crane fora gooseneck trailer.

In recent years gooseneck hitches have become very popular over othertypes for trailers because the gooseneck hitches permit ordinary pick-uptrucks, having one-half-ton or three-quarter-ton ratings, to haul largertrailers and pull heavier loads. Gooseneck trailers are used for manypurposes, and they are especially popular on small farms for carryinghay and other materials. The present invention is especially suitablefor such a use and will thus be described as a hay trailer.

The gooseneck hitch is ordinarily built upon a transverse wall-likestructure upstanding from the front end of the trailer. A triangularframe cantilevers forwardly from this wall at an elevation which permitsit to extend. above the tailgate of a pick-up truck, over the bed of thetruck and with the apex of the triangular frame being positioned abovethe rear axle of the truck. There, at the apex of this frame, a shortcolumn, the head of the gooseneck hitch, extends downwardly to the bedof the pick-up truck to engage a hitching ball or a fifth wheel type ofconnector. By connecting the gooseneck. hitch at a point which is overthe rear axle of the truck, a better-control of thetrailer is possiblewhile it is being towed, and also, a more satisfactory load distributionon the truck can be obtained.

One problem which has been encountered with trailers of all sorts, onsmall farms and elsewhere, resides in the work involved in loading andunloading the trailers. This problem is pointed up whenever asmall-scale farmer commences using a gooseneck trailer with his pick-uptruck for he t will increase the loads being hauled. The efficiency ofthe farmers operation is increased by.using a larger trailer and haulingheavier loads. However, this-suggests the possibility of furtherefficiency by machine loading and. unloading of the trailer.

The present invention was conceived and developedwith the aboveconsiderations in view, and comprises, in essense, the provision of adeck upon the A-frame of a gooseneck hitch, and a loader crane mountedupon this deck. The crane can be designed to reach over the bed of thetrailer for quick and easy loading and unloading operations.

Thus, another object of the invention is to provide a novel and improvedarrangement of a loader crane upon a gooseneck trailer, where the craneis at an outof-the-way position when it is not in use and does not takeup space on the bed of the trailer to interfere with the load thereon.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel and improvedarrangement of a loader crane upon the hitch of a gooseneck trailerwhich is especially suitable for the loading and unloading of hay andsimilar material.

Another object of the invention is to provide in combination with a haytransport trailer having a gooseneck hitch which is capable of pickingup or depositing an entire haystack at a time, a loader crane mountedupon the gooseneck hitch of the trailer at a position where it caneasily reach all portions of a haystack carried upon the trailer tofacilitate loading and unloading operations.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a loader-crane arrangementfor a gooseneck trailer which is a simple, economical, versatile, ruggedand durable unit.

With the foregoing and other objects to view, all of which more fullyhereafter appear, my invention comprises certain constructions,combinations and arrangements of parts and elements as herein described,defined in the appended claims and illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pick-up truck pulling a goosenecktrailer, with the trailer being loaded with hay, and with a loader cranemounted upon the gooseneck hitch according to the present invention;FIG. 1 showing also, a portion of the wall of the truck asbeing brokenaway to better illustrate the connection of the gooseneck hitch to thebed of the truck.

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of a portion of the organization shown inFIG. 1 but with the hay load removed, and illustrating the manner inwhich the gooseneck hitch is modified to carry a loader crane and thebase portion of the crane thereon.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary sectional detail as taken from the indicatedline 33 at FIG. 2 but on a further enlarged scale. 7

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the gooseneck trailer per se.

FIG. 5 is a left side elevational view of the trailer as shown at FIG.4.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary sectional detail as taken from the indicatedline 6-6 at FIG. 5.

' FIG. 7 isa diagram of a hydraulic system which may be used with theloader crane.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of aportion of a trailer similar to thatshown at FIG. 1 but showing the same as being modified by Outriggers.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, an operative organizationwhich includes the present invention consists of a pick-up truck P, agooseneck trailer T connected to the pick-up truck and a loader crane Cmounted upon the trailer. The drawing at FIG. 1 depicts the trailer asbeing loaded with hay, however, it is to be understood that while theinvention is herein described as a hay trailer, it is also useful forother purposes. Likewise, vehicles other than a pick-up truck may beused to pull the trailer. For example, farm tractors and truck tractorscan be adapted to connect with the gooseneck hitch of the trailer.

The pick-up truck P is necessarily modified to receive a gooseneck hitchand a reinforcing plate 20 is secured to the bed 21 of the pick-up truckin any suit- FIG. 3 illustrates the connective ball 22 as being engagedby the head of the gooseneck hitch as will be deof longitudinal beamsinterconnected by suitable headers 31. Tandem wheel 32 at each side ofthe beams are carried upon an axle frame 33 as illustrated. The

axle frame 33 is not shown in detail for it is essentially conventionaland it may include a spring system, although such is not shown.

The bed of this trailer is an open framework consisting of longitudinalbeams 34 and transverse members 36. This bed is connected to the base bya transverse pivot 36 at the wheel mounts with the framework extendingrearwardly from the pivot to permit the framework to tip rearwardly sothe rear end of this framework may be to the ground as shown in brokenlines at FIG. 5. The tipping is effected by a hydraulic cylinder 37mounted upon each beam 30 with its piston rod being connected to anadjacent beam 34.

Each beam 34 is box-shaped in section and a chain 38 with grab points 39is carried in each beam 34, the chain being extended about sprockets 40at each end of the beam. The front sprockets 40 are carried on a shaft41 which is driven by a hydraulic motor 42. The rear sprockets areidlers. Forward and reverse move- This gooseneck hitch is modified formounting the loader crane C upon it by providing a deck 60 upon thehorizontal portions of the beams 52. The crane C is mounted to avertical post 61 which is pivotally connected to the deck 60 and to thetop plate 62 of a straddle frame. The side plates 63 of this frameupstand from the deck 60 at each side of the post. This post 61 isrotated by a chain 64 extending about a sprocket 65 at the base of thepost and connecting with the piston rods of an opposing pair ofcylinders 66 mounted upon the deck 60 as best shown at FlG. 6.

The crane includes a boom 67 pivotally secured to the ears of a clevis68 embracing the post 61. This permits the boom 67 to swing in avertical plane. The raising and lowering movement of the boom iseffected by a hydraulic cylinder 69 having its base connected to asecond clevis 70 outstanding from the post 61, and its 7 piston rodextending to a clevis 71 at an intermediate ments of the chains are thuspossible, and when the framework is tipped a load of hay may be pulledonto or moved off from the trailer. This arrangement need not bedescribed further since it is essentially conventional; also, thehydraulic lines and controls for the cylinders 37 and the motor 42 arenot shown or described because conventional arrangements may be usedwith these components.

The gooseneck tongue ofthe trailer includes posts 50 upstanding from thefront'ends of the beams 30, immediately ahead of the framework 34. Theseposts are reinforced by cross braces 51, and the posts and crossbracesform a transverse wall structure at the front of the trailer. A beam 52cantilevers forwardly from the top of each post, with the two beamsconverging to a forward apex 53 at the longitudinal center axis. Theportions of the beams 52 adjacent to the posts are substantiallyhorizontal while the portions 52a adjacent to the apex are tippeddownwardly a small amount as best shown at FlG. 5.

A gusset plate 54 reinforces each connection between the posts 50 andbeams 52. A head 55 of the gooseneck extends downwardly from the apex 53and is reinforced by a gusset plate 56. A sleeve 57 is attached to thehead and thissleeve carries the socket members 26 heretofore described.The sleeve attachment is effected by pinning it to the head at selectedpositions to adjust for height variations with respect to the truck bed.

To'complete the trailer, jacks 58 are mounted upon each post 50 so theymay extend downwardly to the ground to hold the trailer level when it isnot connected to the truck. Outriggers may be used in lieu of the jacksif desired to better stabilize the trailer where the loader crane is inoperation as will be hereinafter described.

point on the boom 67.

An extension arm 72 is pivotally connected to the extended end of theboom 67 by a clevis 73 near the inward end and at the underside of thearm 72. This clevis 73 has its pivot pin engaging the end of the boom67. The inward end of the arm 72 generally overlies the boom to providean elbow joint. A cylinder 74 is secured to upstanding posts 75 on theboom 67 with its piston rod pivotally connecting to the inward end ofthe arm 72 as at 76. Thus, the cylinder 74 actuates the arm about theextended end of the boom.

A hay fork is pivotly secured to the extended end of the arm 72 as by aclevis 81 at thetop of the fork. This connection permits the fork toswing as it is suspended from the arm. This hay fork may be of anysuitable type and is preferably hydraulically actuated to grip and torelease a load of hay.

The hay fork, suspended at'the clevis connection 81, includes diagonalsupport bars 82 which extend downwardly and outwardly from the clevis ina pyramids'haped framework to hold a square or rectangular frame sectionof the fork. This frame section consists of apair of opposing sideshafts 83 and a pair of opposing end bars 84. The diagonal support bars82 are connected to the ends of the end bars 84, and the ends of theshafts 83 are pivotally connected to these end bars.

An array of tines 85, is affixed to each shaft 83, and in the forkillustrated each shaft carries three tines which are in spacedopposition with the tines on the other shaft. It follows that rotationof the shafts in opposite directions will move the tines together andapart. To effect this combined rotation a lever 86 extends downwardly onone shaft and a lever 87 extends upwardly from the other shaft. Theselevers are interconnected by a crossbar 88. To operate the fork anotherlever 89 upstands from one shaft to connect with the piston of ahydraulic cylinder 90 suspended above the frame. The base of thecylinder is held by a strut 91 upstanding from the other shaft 83. Thisstrut 91 does not rotate with rotations of its supporting shaft but isheld ina fixed position by a strap 92 extending from the end of thestrut 91 to the clevis 81.

Thiscrane C is controlled by an hydraulic system connecting with thecylinders 66, 69, 74 and 90 as will be described. A control head 93 isconveniently mounted upon top plate 62 of the support frame of the post61. The controls in the head 93 are four-way valves as hereinafterdescribed; and these valves will include handles for operatiomAnoperator's chain 94 is conveniently mounted upon the deck 60 in front ofthe support frame of the post so the operator can be seated while he isfacing rearwardly. Thus, he can easily operate the crane and watch thecrane as he loads and unloads the trailer.

When loading and unloading hay, and when the crane is rotated from alongitudinal position directly over the deck and to a lateral positionto the side of the trailer the problem of lateral stability of thetrailer may not arise because the hay will not be very heavy. However,when the crane is lifting heavy loads the problem of lateral stabilitycan be quite serious. In such a case the jacks 58 at each side oftheframework may be lowered to minimize side tipping.

As a further feature, where heavy lateral loads are encountered,outriggers may be mounted upon the trailer. One arrangement ofoutriggers is illustrated at FIG. 8. The front header 31a of the traileris modified by having portions extending beyond the posts 50 of thegooseneck hitch. An'outrigger 95 is pivotally connected to each extendedheader portion as at 96. It is actuated by a cylinder 97 connected to aclevis 98 on each post while its piston rod is connected to a clevis 99on the outrigger. These outriggers may be operated by the same hydraulicsystem as that which operates the crane or in any other suitable manner.

An exemplary hydraulic circuit for the apparatus is shown at FIG. 7. Apump 100, a reservoir 101, and the intake line 102 connecting thesecomponents, may be carried in the pick-up truck or on the trailer if apower source to drive the pump is available. Such pump and reservoir arenot shown nor are hydraulic lines shown in the drawing since suchsystems are essentially conventional.

The hydraulic circuit shown at FIG. 7 includes, in addition to the pump100, reservoir 101 and connecting line 102, a discharge line 103 to amanifold 93a in the control head 93. Four-way valves 66a, 69a, 74a and90a connect with the manifold 93a and the lines of each extend to theseveral cylinders. Each line 104 of the valve 66a-extends to 'a cylinder66 since the cylinders 66 are single action and each operates inopposition to the others. Lines 105 of the valve 69a extend to thedouble acting cylinder 69. Lines 106 of the valve 74a extend to thedouble acting cylinder 74. Lines 107 of the valve 90a extend to thedouble acting cylinder 90.

All of these four-way valves have their exhaust lines connected with amanifold 109 which returns to the reservoir 101 to complete theassembly. FIG. 7 also shows two four-way valve 97a and lines therefromto two double acting cylinders 97. These valves and cylinders areoptional and are used only is outriggers such as shown at FIG. 8 areused.

I have now discussed my invention in considerable detail; however,others skilled in the art can devise and build alternate and equivalentconstructions which are within the spirit and scope of my invention;hence, I desire that my protection be limited not by the constructionsillustrated and described, but only by the proper scope of appendedclaims.

I claim:

1. A combination of a flat-bed trailer and loading means, said flat-bedtrailer having a gooseneck hitch for connection with a connector in thebed of a pick-up truck wherein said gooseneck hitch includes:

a. a transverse wall-like frame upstanding from the front of saidtrailer and having a width corresponding to the width of the trailerframe,

b. a generally horizontal frame cantilevered forwardly from the top ofthe vertical frame comprising two structural members attached to theoutward corners of the vertical frame to extend forwardly and convergeat the projection of the longitudinal center line of the trailer, and

c. coupling means depending from the converging ends of the said membersto connect with said connector in said pickup truck, with the verticalframe extending to a height which will permit the horizontal frame tooverlie the bed walls of the pickup truck;

said loading means comprising:

a. a deck mounted on the horizontal frame thereby being above andforwardly of the bed of said trailer,

b. a post rotatably mounted on said deck member,

0. first power means to rotate said post relative to said deck,

d. said first power means including means for rotating said post withrespect to said deck, said rotating means including:

1. a chain sprocket attached to said post,

2. a pair of parallel spaced power cylinder means mounted on said deck,and

3. chain means passed around said sprocket and having each end attachedto one of said power cylinder means whereby as one cylinder means isretracted said chain is pulled around said sprocket causing the post torotate with respect to said deck,

e. an articulated crane boom pivotally carried upon said post forvertical movement with respect to said post, to overreach the trailerbed and areas to the side of trailer bed,

f. second power means to pivot said boom relative to said post,

g. means for gripping loose material at the opposite end of said boom,

h. third power means to articulate said boom and operate said grippingmeans,

i. control means mounted on said deck operatively associated with saidpower means, and

j. an operators seat mounted on the deck forwardly of the control meansand boom to permit an operator to view the trailer bed to the rear froman elevated position while operating the boom,

k. said gripping means comprising a rectangular frame pivotallysuspended from the free end of said-boom and a pair of fork means havingtines pivotally mounted on opposite members of said rectangular frame,

. said third power means including a power cylinder mounted on saidrectangular frame for pivoting said fork means inwardly toward eachother so as to grip said material.

2. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein:

said gooseneck hitch further includes lateral support beams mounted oneach side of the vertical frame at the front of the trailer.

3. A device as defined in claim 2, wherein:

the lateral support beams comprise outriggers.

1. A combination of a flat-bed trailer and loading means, said flat-bedtrailer having a gooseneck hitch for connection with a connector in thebed of a pick-up truck wherein said gooseneck hitch includes: a. atransverse wall-like frame upstanding from the front of said trailer andhaving a width corresponding to the width of the trailer frame, b. agenerally horizontal frame cantilevered forwardly from the top of thevertical frame comprising two structural members attached to the outwardcorners of the vertical frame to extend forwardly and converge at theprojection of the longitudinal center line of the trailer, and c.coupling means depending from the converging ends of the said members toconnect with said connector in said pickup truck, with the verticalframe extending to a height which will permit the horizontal frame tooverlie the bed walls of the pickup truck; said loading meanscomprising: a. a deck mounted on the horizontal frame thereby beingabove and forwardly of the bed of said trailer, b. a post rotatablymounted on said deck member, c. first power means to rotate said postrelative to said deck, d. said first power means including means forrotating said post with respect to said deck, said rotating meansincluding:
 1. a chain sprocket attached to said post,
 2. a pair ofparallel spaced power cylinder means mounted on said deck, and
 3. chainmeans passed around said sprocket and having each end attached to one ofsaid power cylinder means whereby as one cylinder means is retractedsaid chain is pulled around said sprocket causing the post to rotatewith respect to said deck, e. an articulated crane boom pivotallycarried upon said post for vertical movement with respect to said post,to overreach the trailer bed and areas to the side of trailer bed, f.second power means to pivot said boom relative to said post, g. meansfor gripping loosE material at the opposite end of said boom, h. thirdpower means to articulate said boom and operate said gripping means, i.control means mounted on said deck operatively associated with saidpower means, and j. an operator''s seat mounted on the deck forwardly ofthe control means and boom to permit an operator to view the trailer bedto the rear from an elevated position while operating the boom, k. saidgripping means comprising a rectangular frame pivotally suspended fromthe free end of said boom and a pair of fork means having tinespivotally mounted on opposite members of said rectangular frame, l. saidthird power means including a power cylinder mounted on said rectangularframe for pivoting said fork means inwardly toward each other so as togrip said material.
 2. a pair of parallel spaced power cylinder meansmounted on said deck, and
 2. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein:said gooseneck hitch further includes lateral support beams mounted oneach side of the vertical frame at the front of the trailer.
 3. chainmeans passed around said sprocket and having each end attached to one ofsaid power cylinder means whereby as one cylinder means is retractedsaid chain is pulled around said sprocket causing the post to rotatewith respect to said deck, e. an articulated crane boom pivotallycarried upon said post for vertical movement with respect to said post,to overreach the trailer bed and areas to the side of trailer bed, f.second power means to pivot said boom relative to said post, g. meansfor gripping loosE material at the opposite end of said boom, h. thirdpower means to articulate said boom and operate said gripping means, i.control means mounted on said deck operatively associated with saidpower means, and j. an operator''s seat mounted on the deck forwardly ofthe control means and boom to permit an operator to view the trailer bedto the rear from an elevated position while operating the boom, k. saidgripping means comprising a rectangular frame pivotally suspended fromthe free end of said boom and a pair of fork means having tinespivotally mounted on opposite members of said rectangular frame, l. saidthird power means including a power cylinder mounted on said rectangularframe for pivoting said fork means inwardly toward each other so as togrip said material.
 3. A device as defined in claim 2, wherein: thelateral support beams comprise outriggers.